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Modifications for the Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000, MCX-100 and Mostar Series Note that there is no dash or hyphen between the X and the 9000. i.e. "Syntor X9000" is correct, "Syntor X-9000" is incorrect. Also, to paraphrase Paul Bennett N7OCS, "The Syntor X, Syntor X9000 and Syntor X9000E radios use a 'drop shadowed' X graphic.   This drop shadow is cosmetic only and there is no such thing as a Syntor XX, Syntor XX 9000 or Syntor XX 9000E radio.   On the other hand, there are Syntor X2 and Syntor X3 trunking radios, so the use of the "XX" can be confusing and should always be avoided."

The Syntor line of mobile radios are synthesized 32 channel radios for VHF and UHF. The Syntors were made in the 1980s and came after the crystal controlled Micor series. The RF frequency information was held in a one-time bipolar PROM chip, and the PL tone / DPL code information in a second chip. Paul Benetts web site listed below provides alternatives to the almost-impossible-to-find PROM chips and the methods to program them.

The Syntor X radios followed the Syntors and were a complete redesigned radio that happens to share the same product name. They are completely different inside and offer more options including low band and 32 channels or more. The programming is held in a plug-in memory module that holds one of several different memory chips. The programming information holds separate receive and transmit frequencies, tone or digital pl encode/decode, a timeout timer (programmable in 15 second increments to over 7 minutes) and a scan list (up to 32 channels) with two priority channels.

Two sources of Syntor memory module programming are:

The Syntor X9000 followed the Syntor X and is the same radio from a RF standpoint, but the internal controller board was upgraded to expand the number of memory channels up to 255. The control cable connector on the X9000 is the same as the X, but the accessories are not compatible. The X9000 uses Systems 9000 accessories and options that communicate with the radio via a 9600 baud serial bus. Unlike the Syntor X the X9000 is programmed with RSS (and a slow PC), a RIB and special adapter cable that goes in series with the normal radio cable. The the special cable is not an absolute requirement, there are several ways to make your own connection from a radio to to a RIB. In other words, the X9000 is a more desirable mobile radio than a Syntor X since you don't need the almost-impossible-to-find suitcase programmer for the plain Syntor or the Syntor X... you just connect a PC or a laptop to the X9000 and program it.

Note that there are a wide range of Syntor line accessories and that the cable and head are not compatible between the Syntor, Syntor X and Syntor X9000. The only accessories that are the same across all three radios are the speaker, microphone and antenna. If you do not have experience with the Syntor series and decide to buy any Syntor you really need to purchase a complete installation set - the radio, cable and the head. Paul Bennetts web site (linked below) will help sort out the confusion, but it's best NOT to try and mix and match unless you have the full manual that covers your radio(s) and accessories.

Skip Hansen WB6YMH and Lee Dusbabek K7KAJ have designed and sell a replacement memory module for the Syntor X called the Xcat that is programmable by a PC. A Syntor X plus the Xcat is a much more capable base station or remote base radio than an X9000 - and cheaper! If your interest is in a standalone mobile radio then the X9000 is still the way to go. The Xcat provides 32 modes and the X9000 came in 32, 64, 128 and 255 modes and offers an 11-character alphanumeric display control head. And you can't run some accessories (like a PA-siren) from the Syntor X main control head (Moto provided a control box that mounted on top of the head). Click here for a photo of the Xcat board. The brown connector at the top of the photo plugs into the Syntor X in place of the original Motorola module (so if you end up with an eBay Syntor X that was decomissioned by pulling the module you can add the Xcat and turn your doorstop back into a real radio). The 10-pin header at the lower left connects to a DB9 connector that plugs into your PCs serial port (COM port) for programming the Xcat. The 20-pin header at the lower right is for a connection to a repeater controller when used in a remote base application (it's the multicolor ribbon cable in the "installed" photo). The Xcat allows remote selection of RF frequency, PL encode and decode tones, and power level via the Doug Hall "RBI" protocol that is supported by most controllers (and you don't need the Doug Hall box!). The Icom CI-V protocol or the serial protocol can be used by controllers that don't support the Doug Hall protocol. Click here for a photo of the installed Xcat board. The Xcat module, when plugged in place of the original Moto memory module, provides: Computer control via serial port and a professionally written open source Windows application. Interface to repeater controllers using either the "Doug Hall" or Icom CI-V protocols. Yes, a Syntor X equipped with an Xcat makes an exact and excellent replacement for a Kenwood mobile as a remote base. The Xcat has been used successfully with RLC3, Pacific Research RI-300s and an Scom - and without the Doug Hall RBI box in the middle. If you interface it to a repeater controller you can use a Syntor-X as a fully frequency and PL tone agile remote base. And you can have multiple Xcats sharing the same controller port (i.e. separate low band, high band and UHF Xcat/Syntor-X remote bases on one repeater controller port). In a mobile you have simple standalone operation as 32 mode code plug without a computer - i.e. it is an exact replacement memory module and your Syntor X mobile won't know the difference. The Windows application uploads the information to the Xcat and then the computer is disconnected until the information needs to be changed. More information is available at the Xcat yahoogroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xcat.

Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000 and MCX-100 Ham Band Programming Information:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/5857/   By Paul Bennett N7OCS (offsite link)

Other Syntor, Syntor X and Syntor X9000 Information:
Moving a highband Syntor to 2m (includes VCO mods)     By Mark A. Tomany   N9WYS
Modifications To A Motorola Syntor X to Use As A Repeater or Point-to-Point Link Receiver or Transmitter     Scott D. Lichtsinn   KBØNLY
Syntor X Mobile Radio Information     By Mike Blenderman  K7IC   (offsite link)
Syntor X Code Plug Information     By Paul Kasley  W9TS   (offsite link)
Syntor X PC Programmable Memory Modules   From Piexx Company (offsite link)
Setting up a Syntor X as a 144.39 MHz APRS radio   by Earl Garber N3EG (offsite link)
Making your own TRN-4224A PL tone plug   by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
The TRN4224A Tone Plug is used in internal tone PL boards (i.e. Mitreks, Syntors, Maxar, etc.), Systems-90 multi-PL mobile encoders and some other models.
While this article is Mitrek oriented, the information is valid for any equipment that uses the TRN-4224 plug-in tone module.
Making your own TRN6005 DPL code plug   by Mike Morris WA6ILQ from information and photos provided by Jerry Matthews WAØUZI
Like the tone plug above this module is used on a wide range of equipment. A quad DPL board for a Micor base station is shown in the article, but the techinque is universal to any equipment that uses the TRN6005.

Operating / User manuals:
Syntor X-9000 Operators Manual   68P80100W95-C   949KB PDF
Syntor X-9000 Supplement   68P80100W94-O   23MB PDF
Syntor X-9000 Trunked & Conventional Manual   68P80100W90-O   2MB PDF
Syntor X-9000E Operators Manual   68P80102W26-O   993KB PDF